The Biden administration has removed Trump-appointed atmospheric scientist Betsy Weatherhead from her role as supervisor of a comprehensive report on the effects of climate change on the US, the Washington Post first reported on Monday.
Why it matters: Weatherhead hasn’t been fired – just transferred to the US Geological Survey – the move represents an effort by the Biden administration to remove Trump-era appointees from scientific roles, according to CNN.
Of interest: The move may cause further delays in the next edition of the National Climate Assessment, which, according to the congresses, should be prepared every four years.
The big picture: Weatherhead’s original appointment in November came as a surprise, given that she is a mainstream climate scientist whose work reflects that climate change poses a serious threat – unlike some other Trump-appointed individuals.
- However, Weatherhead would have clashed with some of the other concerned officials over the “direction of the report,” the Post said.
What they say: Jane Lubchenco, a top White House climate official who eventually oversaw Weatherhead in her position, told Axios in an interview Monday that the White House is committed to a “robust” and “effective” assessment.
- “All I can really say is that Dr. Weatherhead’s detail is coming to an end, she’s returning to USGS, her home agency,” Lubchenco, who serves as deputy director for climate and environment at the Office of Science and Technology Policy. said. “We are very grateful to her for her service.”
- Lubchenco left open the possibility that the next review, which is currently due in 2023, may face further delays. “We will do everything we can to stick to the schedule, but that remains to be seen,” she said.
Flashback: The latest climate assessment, published in 2018, warned of increasingly damaging climate impacts for the US, increasing the likelihood of serious economic damage in the coming decades.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with comments from Lubchenco.